Read aloud:
June 1, 2016
Ford is enjoying sales success with the Ranger pickup truck. And rightly so—because the 3,2-liter engine packs a serious punch under the hood.
The new Ford Ranger; Photo: Ford
The truth remains: The Ranger is a boy's car—for both young and old. Regardless of age, it's primarily the male demographic who stares at the massive pickup truck and nods approvingly as it drives past.
Because the vehicle stands out. Because of its size. Because of its color. And because of the snorkel, which is a rather unusual sight in our latitudes. It's not designed for diving with the Ranger, but rather a technical aid when the vehicle is used where it's actually meant to be: off-road. Then, when driving through water, the snorkel continues to draw in air for the engine when the vehicle dips its hood into a riverbed. The Ranger's fording depth is 80 centimeters. The rear-wheel drive version can manage a fording depth of 60 centimeters.
The outdoor performance is also impressive. The all-wheel-drive variant has a minimum ground clearance of 22 centimeters. The approach and departure angles can be up to 28 degrees, both front and rear, and the breakover angle should not exceed 32 degrees. This allows for a full load to be carried. In the best-case scenario, the Ranger can transport a maximum payload of 1,26 tons.
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Mobility
Mobility - Commercial vehicles
Those opting for the special "Wildtrak" model can enjoy the massive 18-inch alloy wheels, the striking "Outdoor Orange" color, the sophisticated interior, and other attractive accessories. Wildtrak is the highest trim level. Ford has included a few additional options in the double cab, such as the Mountain Top load area cover for €1.600 net, which prevents you from driving a swimming pool around in the rain and getting your cargo wet. Or the "Ironman 4x4" intake snorkel for €679,83 net. Generally, the Wildtrak edition of the Ranger starts at €35.325 net. However, this only comes with the 2,2-liter diesel engine with 118 kW/160 hp under the hood.
However, it's worth investing an additional €1.100 net. Under the hood, as in the test vehicle, you'll find a powerful 3,2-liter diesel engine with 147 kW/200 hp. Those who need less power can even order a 2,2-liter diesel with 96 kW/130 hp. However, anyone who wants to tow a trailer should go straight for the larger engine. The torque figures reflect this. While the smallest diesel engine delivers 330 Newton meters (Nm), the 160 hp version boasts 385 Nm. The larger version boasts a whopping 470 Nm – and the 3,2-liter displacement ensures that the Ranger with a trailer won't run out of steam, even on inclines.
Those who drive this powerful version in an eco-friendly manner can reduce fuel consumption to under nine liters. The technical specifications list the standard fuel consumption as 8,3 liters for the manual transmission, and 8,7 liters for the automatic version. If the driver presses hard on the accelerator and squeezes out the full power, real-world fuel consumption can approach the ten-liter mark. Driving at full throttle, with a mix of highway, country roads, and some city driving, the Ranger achieved a real-world fuel consumption of 9,8 liters.
Conclusion: Pickups are lifestyle vehicles in this country, even though they offer many advantages with their all-wheel drive capabilities and payload capacity. And with its 3,2-liter engine, the Ranger is one of the best pick-ups available on the German market—not counting US imports.
Photos: Ford
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